University of Oregon
2-0,0-0Big Ten
Eastern Washington
0-2,0-0Big Sky
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Wash. | 39 | 32 | 71 |
| Oregon | 53 | 45 | 98 |
11/06/26 | Men's Basketball
EUGENE, Ore. — Wei Lin scored 20 points and Oregon dished out its most assists in nearly seven years as the Ducks defeated Eastern Washington, 98-71, Friday afternoon at Matthew Knight Arena.
Oregon (2-0) finished with 26 assists on 39 made field goals, its highest assist total since recording 28 against Alabama State on Dec. 29, 2019. The Ducks shot 60 percent from the field and had four players score in double figures.
Lin led the Ducks with his second career 20-point performance, shooting 7-of-9 from the field and 3-of-5 from three-point range. He added four assists and three steals in just over 20 minutes of action.
"Wei has really put in the work," interim head coach Tony Stubblefield said. "He's been very coachable. He's made the adjustment. He's defending harder, and he's been more of an all-around basketball player. His shot selection, I think that's really helped him, and he really provides a big spark for us coming off the bench."
Fred Payne scored 16 points, connecting on four of his six three-point attempts, while Pharaoh Compton added 13 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting from the field. Malique Ewin finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and a game-high seven assists, while Andrew Meadow chipped in eight points.
How it happened: The Ducks and Eagles traded baskets throughout the opening 12 minutes, with Eastern Washington taking its only lead of the game, 24-22, with 9:58 remaining in the first half. Oregon responded with a basket from Lin to tie the game before Meadow converted a three-point play to put the Ducks back in front.
Leading 36-35 with just under five minutes remaining in the half, Oregon closed the period on a 17-4 run to take a 53-39 advantage into the break. Payne sparked the late surge with a three-pointer and finished the half with 14 points on 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc.
Oregon shot 63.3 percent from the field in the opening 20 minutes, including 6-of-12 from three-point range, while recording 13 assists on 19 made baskets.
The Ducks extended their lead to 21 points early in the second half, using a 9-2 run capped by a Meadow three-pointer to make it 62-41 with 16:40 remaining. Eastern Washington (0-2) answered with an 8-0 run to cut the deficit to 13, but Lin converted a three-point play to halt the rally.
Oregon maintained a double-digit advantage the rest of the way and pushed its lead to as many as 28 points in the second half.
The Ducks dominated inside, outscoring the Eagles 54-32 in the paint, while holding a 38-24 advantage on the glass. Oregon's bench contributed 52 points, led by Lin and Compton, and the Ducks finished with 11 steals and four blocked shots.
Sean Stewart grabbed a game-high nine rebounds to go along with six points and two blocks, while Tajh Ariza added seven points and three assists.
Notable: Malique Ewin (+25), Fred Payne (+20), and Wei Lin (+20) all finished plus-20 on the night … Payne scored 16 points in 24 minutes … Lin recorded his second career 20-point game with 20 off the bench … Compton was a perfect 6-of-6 from the field for 13 points.
Up Next: The Ducks host Mississippi Valley State on Wednesday (7 p.m., B1G+).
